Obese Pets a Growing Epidemic [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD - Just like their owners, the number of obese cats and dogs continues to grow.  This is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day.

Doctor Alyssa Erlandson is from the Granite City Pet Hospital. She says you need to feel your pet, to see if they're overweight.

She also says you need to rethink how much your feeding your pet.

Erlandson says, if you have an overweight pet, you should cut back on their food by about 10-20 percent.

She also recommends bringing your pet in for an exam every six months.

Overweight animals are at risk to develop arthritis, diabetes, and fatty liver, among illnesses.

An estimated 54 percent of cats and dogs in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese.